An 18-year-old Arkansas man arrested at Texarkana Regional Airport last month told investigators he intended to fly a stolen plane to a rap music concert in another state. Asked about his lack of training as a pilot, Scott told Texarkana police that he didn't believe there was much more to the task than pushing buttons and pulling levers. (www.arkansasonline.com) 更多...

It takes all types.... I would say it is clear that this person has a Criminal Record and is in the system so to speak.... Based on the comment: "Two officers reportedly recognized the man as Scott before authorities opened the plane door and arrested him." - I very seriously doubt that he could have gotten the APU Started, much less the engines.

The article says a 44 seat a/c, What regional jet under American has 44. I thought their smallest was an ERJ-145 that carries 50?

He was correct about much of it.... There are Buttons and levers.. His problem was he misjudged the QTY and complexity! Keep in mind the day and life of an Airline Pilot.... How many Buttons do you push and how many levers get pulled.... Keep in mind the Throttle's are levers and technically so is the yolk. His problem was he couldn't figure out which one's and in which order they had to comply with... If he had in fact gotten off the ground, just imagine how bad it would have been... I mean getting off the ground is optional... getting back on the ground is not optional!

Were I believe that a 2 person crew is needed and required I would not say it could not be done. There have been times when a crew member is incapacitated and the other crew member has to land. Look at British Airways Flight 5390